# NTSB LAX92LA061: North American-Kenney T-28D-5, NA-260, N2496, Bermuda Dunes, CA, December 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1991, 13:03 local (21:03 UTC)
- Place: Bermuda Dunes, CA
- Coordinates: 33.70951, -116.229682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7095&lon=-116.2297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27516/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA061

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION PERFORMED BY THE MECHANIC.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE DETERIORATION OF THE FUEL BLADDER SELF-SEALING LINING AND PARTIAL BLOCKAGE OF THE FUEL SCREENS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - single engine aircraft
  - fuel system,tank - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,screen - blocked(partial) (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED AIRLINE PILOT AND A PASSENGER DEPARTED IN A SURPLUS MILITARY COMBAT AIRCRAFT FOR A LOCAL AREA FLIGHT. ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD WITH THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED. DURING THE LANDING, ONE PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE AND STRUCK THE RIGHT WING, DAMAGING THE WING SPAR. THE OCCUPANTS WERE NOT INJURED. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FOUND NO MECHANICAL FAILURE. DURING REPAIR OF THE WINGS, THE MILITARY STYLE SELF-SEALING FUEL BLADDERS SELF-SEAL LINING WERE FOUND DETERIORATED AND THE FUEL SCREENS WERE PARTIALLY BLOCKED BY THE FUEL CELL MATERIAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2496](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2496), registered now, S/N 49-1496, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: North American-Kenney T-28D-5, NA-260 (T-28D-5, N)
- Registry model: [North American/Kenney NA-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-kenney-na-260) (registry code 6402520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright R-1820 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-r-1820-series) (registry code 67020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 49-1496
- Airframe hours: 5500
- Engines: WRIGHT R1820-86A 1425 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenney, Brian P.
- Registered owner: Kenney, Brian P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1991, 2 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 11,000 total, 148 in this make and model, 9,700 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19911207055329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911207055329A), Dec 7, 1991: Namer NA260NOMAD, Bermuda Dunes, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed plowed field gear up. Fuel screens blocked by deteriorating combat type fuel cells.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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